Timer and signal circuit



June 15, 1937. A. o. oLAFsoN 2,083,792

TIMER ANI J' SIGNAL CIRCUIT Ofiginal Filed Aug. 25, 1930 7 Sheets -Sheet l Jwwmtoz Wham/0, Ola [80w June 15, 1937. A. o. OLAFSON 2,083,792

TIMER AND SIGNAL CIRCUIT Original Filed Aug. 25, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 l gmnnto'o V d m/m 0. Ola/saw June 15, 1937. I Alo. oLAFsoN I TIMER AND SIGNAL CIRCUIT Original Filed Aug. 25, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 gwwnto'o June 15, 1937. I A. o. oLAFsoN ,0

TIMER AND SIGNAL CIRCUIT I Original Filed Aug. 25, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 0 00 000 0 o o o Jun 15, 1937. V A. o. OLAFSON- 2,083,792

7 TIMER AND SIGNAL CIRCUIT Original Filed Aug. 25, 1930 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 u as June 15, 1937. A. o. OLAFSON 72,083,792

' TIMER AND SIGNAL CIRCUIT I Original Filed Aug. 25, 1930 7 Shets-Shet 6 I I :wumtoo Jill/22w 0. 02/ 5071/ June 15, 1937. A. OJOLAFSON 2,033,792

TIMER AND S IGNAL CIRCUIT Original F iled'A ug. 25, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 'T Patented June i5, 193? UNl'lED sures 2,083,792 rmsn am) SIGNAL cmcurr Application August 25, 1930, Serial No. 477,519

Renewed April 29, 1937 12 Claims.

My invention relates to a timer and circuits for traflic signals wherein a variable timer which operates automatically is provided. The timer is operable to control the circuits for traffic signals, having means for accomplishing certain results in a simplified manner and to provide such circuits as will permit the signals to be readily controlled, from either the fire department or police headquarters, or at the intersections of highways.

A feature of the invention resides in providing a timer which may be readily set to vary the time of signalling and to control the traffic signal circuits. The timer includes mechanical operating parts which provide a constant regulating means for the circuits of the traflic signals, which can be easily set by the traific department or police officers. The timer may act as a variable timing means for the signal circuits, or it may be employed as a master timer with a slightly slower op- 26 crating speed than the individual timers, which the master timer is to control. The timer may further be employed as a receiving timer to be controlled by the master timer, or it may be co-ordinated with other timers in a manner to act as a progressive signal receiving and timing means.

A feature of my timer resides in a means of permitting the operation of the timer by a key which is adapted to enter into the casing supporting the timer and operate the necessary 30 means to control the timer, and thereby regulate the signalling circuits. This permits a traffic omcer to operate the timer and signals manually, without making it necessary to open the timer casing or interfere with any of the parts. A feature of the timer resides in means for automatically readjusting itself to the normal set operating functions, so that even if a timer is operated by a traiilc officer by manual control, and it is left out or" time with its normal operation, it will automatically readjust itself to operate to co-ordinate with other timers or the master timer and cir-- cuits of the signalling system.

The invention includes the method of providing trafiic signalling circuits for operating traflic 45 signals controlled by the timer means, either individually by a timer for each signal or a group of signals at an intersection, or by a series of signals extending in progression along a highway or street and a master-timer for controlling the individual timers.

The method further includes a traffic signalling system having circuits which are adapted to operate a traflic signal wherein each signal is provided with a distributor which operates- "land 0 controls the signal lights of the signal, and indiis the current necessary to operate the small electric motors in each of the signals. Thus, I reduce the possibility of having trouble with the breaker points in the timer to a minimum. This is an important feature in traffic signal systems and methods of signalling traffic.

It is also a feature of my timer and trailic signalling circuits to provide'a means so that the current is off of the timer signal control switch at the time that it makes abreak in contact, and thus there is no arcing of the point at the time that the circuit is broken. This insures long Wear and virtually perfect continuous operation of my timer and circuits for signalling traffic. This feature is accomplished in the circuits of the traffic signals in the individual distributors which control the signal lights and the means for operating the individual distributors.

A further feature of, my circuits for trafiic signals resides in means permitting the trams signals to be switched to a red. signal all around so that traffic may be stopped, from the fire department, police headquarters, or any other convenient points, or by the officer at the particularintersection, the circuits being so arranged and con trolled by the timer with the distributors to cause them to automatically readjust themselves back to normal operation at any time that they have been operated out of their normal setting. This provides a very desirable control for traffic signalling means.

In my timer and traffic signal circuits, the arrangement is such that the timer cannot stay out of time even though any timer may be held out of time with any other timers, or With its normal setting by manual operation by a traffic ofilcer, or in making adjustments or repairs, and owing to the arrangement of the parts, the timer will automatically readjust itself to normal operation and will continue to operate in this manner until it has been reset to a difierent operating schedule. .The adjustment and setting of my timer to operate the signal circuits is of extreme simplicity and may be accomplished very quickly, even by one not skilled in the setting and operation of same.

traffic signal timers or circuits. This makes my traffic signalling system and timer virtually foolproof and reliable.

The timer and controlling circuits for the traflic signals, together with the full details will be more fully and clearly set forth throughout the specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification:

Figure 1 illustrates a side view partly in section, and part broken away, of the casing for supporting the timer of my trafllc signal.

Figure 2 is a front view of the open timer casing, the standard being broken away. I

Figure 3 illustrates a detail showing the manner in which a key may be inserted from the outside of the casing to operate the timer.

Figure 4 illustrates another detail showing the operation of the timer by a key from the outside of the casing.

Figure 5 illustrates a front view of the timer removed from the casing.

Figure 6 is a sectional detail through the timing disc, taken through the pointer plate and switch operating lug.

Figure 7 is an end view of the timer.

Figure 8 is a rear view of the timer.

Figure 9 is a detail of a portion of the timer.

Figures 10,' 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 are diagrammatic details of the rotary operating cams and booster of the rotary switch of the timer.

Figure 16 is a plan view of the timer.

Figure 17 is a detail of the same.

Figure 18 is a diagrammatic illustration of the wiring circuit for my trafiic signals.

Figure 19 illustrates diagrammatically my signalling circuit with a master timer controlling the individual timers for each signal.

In the drawings of this application, the timer A is adapted to be supported within the casing B which is mounted upon the standard C. The

casing B is formed with a drop front III which is adapted to drop down as illustrated in Figure 1 so that the timer may be accessible. The timer is mounted upon a sliding base which is carried in the casing B and which may be drawn out above the drop front I0 so that the entire timer is easily accessible wheneverit is desired.

The mechanism of the timer is mounted upon the base portion II and on one side a transmission I2 is provided with a series of reduction gears which are operated by the electric motor I3 mounted on the base II in the back of the An operating shaft I4 extends out of the transmission I2 and the outer end of which is supported in a suitable bearing I5 carried by the upright bracket I6'which projects upwardly from the base and which is supported thereby. The bracket I6 also supports a shaft II, the shaft II extending virtually at right angles to the shaft I4 and is adapted to carry the timing disc I8.

The bracket I6 is formed with an upwardly projecting portion I9 which extends above the shaft IT at the inner portion of the bracket and this upwardly projecting portion forms a support for the front plate 20 to position the same adjacent the timing disc I8. The plate 20 is also supported by the bracket lug 2| shown in Figure 16 of the drawings projecting upwardly from the casing of the transmission I2.

The timing disc I8 is provided with a series or rows of concentrically disposed pins 22.projecting from the back of thetiming disc I8 and these pins are engaged by the gear 23 which is set in the desired position on the shaft I4 to engage the row of pins 22 to drive the timing disc I3 at the desired speed of rotation to operate the disc I8.

The gear 23 is operated by the engagement of the member 24 which engages between the sides 25 of the collar formed on the side of the gear. The member 24 is connected to the slideable plate 26 which is slideably supported on the shaft 21 by the ears 28 which project from the back of the plate. The plate 26 is supported in back of the plate 20 and projects upward to the upper edge of the plate 20 with an engaging lug 29 formed on the upper edge of the plate 26 so that the plate 26 may be engaged from the front of the timer A to move it back and forth on the shaft 21. The movement of the plate 28 is for the purpose of changing the position of the gear 23 so that the gear 23 may be placed into engagement with any of the rows of concentrically disposed pins 22 which operate the timer disc I8. I provide a suitable catch 30 for holding the plate 26 in operative position which is pivoted to the plate 26 at 3| and by operating the free end 32 to lift the pointed end 33 which projects over the top edge of the plate 20 and engages in the notches 34 of the plate 35, the plate 26 may be released so as to slide it back and forth on the shaft 21 to change the position of engagement of the gear 23.

The plate 35 is divided into a series of squares 36 with indiciato indicate the ratio of rotation of the timer disc I8 by the change of the gear 23 with the pins 22.. In the spaces 36 I have provided the relative ratio of time for the operation of the timer disc I8. In the position in which the end 33 is set in Figure 5, the operating ratio is such that it will take thirty seconds for the full rotation of the timer disc I8. When the pointed end 33 of the catch 30 is set in the notch 34 at the extreme left end of the plate 35, it .will take just ninety seconds for the timer disc I8 to make a single rotation.

The timer disc I8 operates the timer control switch D which is mounted on the base II and which is adapted to control the circuits of my signalling system as will be hereinafter more fully set forth. The disc I8 is provided with a fixed control switch operating lug 31 positioned at a point as illustrated in Figure 5. An adjustable control switch operating lug 38 is normally positioned circumferentially adjustable on the disc I8-to form equal or unequal angles with respect to the lug 31 as illustrated in Figure 5. The operating lug 38 is formed with a slideable plate 39 having an operating handle '40 together with a setting lug M which engages in the notches 42 formed on the periphery of the operating disc I8. The plate 39 extends across the axis of the disc I8 and is formed with a pointed indicating end 43 which points to the arcuated gauge plate 44 on the face of the disc I8. A suitable pin 45 extends through the slot 46 in the plate 39 and by means of a coil spring 41 which engages with the pin 45 and a pin 48 fixed to the plate 39, the lug H is held normally in one of the notches 42 to hold the operating lug 38 in its set adjusted position.

By engaging the handle the lug 38 may be adjusted either toward one side or the other of the center of the gauge plate 44. One side of the gauge plate 44 may represent the East-West direction for the red which I have designated by the indicia E. W., with a red mark below the same, and the other side can represent the East- West for the green which I have indicated by the the switch arms 52 operate. The arm 52.is

mounted on the terminal 53 as indicated in Figure 16. The arm 52 is adapted to support the contact point arms 54 and 55 which carry the contact points for contacting with the terminals 50 and 5|. 3

Below the arm 52 I provide an operating plate 56 for the arm 52 which is pivoted to the base H at 51. The plate 56 carries shoulders 58 and 59 formed of fibre or other suitable insulating material and which are adapted to engage with the arms 54 and in the operation of the plate 56. The rear end of the plate 56 carries a pair of upwardly extending operating ends the purpose of which will be hereinafter described.

The plate 56 is adapted to be held in operative position by the spring key plate 6| which is pivoted at 62 and which is formed with an upstanding lug 63 through which the rod 64 slideably operates. The rod 64 is provided with a collar bearing member 65 which engages with the lug 63 through which the rod 64 extends andan ad justable shoulder 66 is threaded on to the rod to adjustably support a coil spring 61 on the rod 64 between the shoulder 66 and the collar 65. The inner end 68 of the rod 64 is bifurcated to engage the upstanding operating lug 69 of the plate 56 as illustrated in Figures 5 and 1'7.

The operating lug 69 is formed with a recess 10 in the edge into which the bifurcated end 68 is adapted to engage so that the spring key plate 6| with the rod 64 will operate to hold the plate 56 in a set position with the rod 64 bearing in the notch 10 of the plate 56 as illustrated in Figure 1'7 to hold the plate 56 with the spring key 6| pressing on one side ofthe center or pivot point 51 of the plate 56. In this position theinsulating lug 59 engages against the arm 55 to hold the arm 54 by spring tension against the breaker points of the terminal and the arm 54, thus closing the circuit through the terminal 50 and through the arm 52 through the terminal 53 when in this position.

The key plate 6| carries two operating pins II and I2 in the form of rotatable'sleeves carried on suitable pins projecting up from the plate 6|. The pins II and 12 are adapted to be engaged by the operating lugs 38 and 31, respectively, the lug 31 engaging with the pin 1|, while the lug 38 will engage withthe operating lug pin 12. Thus in the rotation of the operating timer disc l8 the lugs 31 and 38 will engage with the operating pins H and 12 of the spring key 6| to throw the plate 56 from one side to the other to make and break the contacts by the arms 54 and 55 with the terminals 58 and 5|.- When the operating key 6| is in the position illustrated in Figure 17 the rotation of the timing disc |8 will cause the lug 38 to engage the pin 12 to rotate the spring key plate 6| to cause the rod 64 to push the lug 69 into the position indicated in dotted outline, shifting theplate 56 into the position illustrated in dotted outline and holding it in this set position under spring tension of the key plate 6| until the lug 38 rotates to engage the pin H and shift the plate back into the full line position illustrated in Figure 1'7. In these operations the F contacts of the terminals 58 and 5| are made and broken to control the circuits of my traffic signalling system; The lugs 31 and 38 have beveled engaging faces to provide the cam-like operating surfaces for engagement with the pins H and 12. v

The signal control switch D operates to snap to close the circuit through either the terminal 50 or 5|. The operation is quick without hesitation and positive to close either one circuit or the other such as will be hereinafter described.

The timer A is provided with an auxiliary circuit controlling svn'tch E having a rotary camoperating means, the functions of which are similar to those of the control switch D. The .aux-

iliary switch E is provided with a top spring switch arm 13 having two breaker points 14 positioned adjacent each other on the under side of the same. These terminals are adapted to engage with the terminals of the switch arms 15 and 16, respectively, which are positioned directly below the switch arm "I3 and which extend and are attached to the underside of the insulating supporting member 11. .-The arm 13 is attached to the top of the insulating supporting member TL'thus providing a three-way circuit control switch E with one of the switch members, such as 13, being common and having the two breaker points 14. Either of the breaker points 14, that is, either one or the other, are adapted to contact with the breaker points of the arms 15 and 16 so that normally either one or the other of the arms 15 or 16 are in operative position to contact with the breaker points 14.

The switch arm 13 has a circuit terminal 18 on the insulating member 11, while the arm 15 has a terminal 19, and the arnr 16 a terminal 80. These terminals are positioned adjacent each other on the insulating support 'II.v

The switch arm 13 has a spring nature so as to extend down toward the arms 15 and I6 and I provide an insulating stop lug 8| which projects between the free ends of the arms 15 and 16 to limit the downward movement of the arm 13. The stop lug 8| is carried by a suitable supporting bracket from the bracket arm l6.

The arms 15 and 16 are adapted to be operated by the rotatable cams 82 and 83, respectively, which are carried upon-the shaft H. The

cams 82 and 83 are connected integrally and supported by the collar 84 which also supports the booster cam 85 which is positioned adjacent the cam 83. The booster cam 85 is engaged by the pin 86 which is carried by the collar 81 and the collar 81 is fixed to the shaft I! by the screw 88 so that when the shaft I1 is rotated by the operating timer disc l8 the cams 82, 83, and 85 will be rotated therewith. A suitable slot 89 is formed in the booster cam 85 so that a certain amount of play is permitted between the collar 81 and the cams to permit the-booster cam to be operated by the spring booster arm 98 to advance the position of the earns 82 and 83 in a certain point of rotation of the cams in the operation of the timer A. The spring arm 90 is provided with an anti-friction cam engaging wheel 9| which operates against the booster cam 85.

In the operation of the timer A the auxiliary 1 ing circuit by the arm 15 in Figure and in Figure 11 showing the circuit broken. Figure 12 illustrates the circuit controlled by the arm 16 open, while Figure 13 shows the circuit controlled by the arm l6 closed. Figure 14 illustrates the position of the booster cam 85 just prior to its boosting operation and Figure 15 shows the same after the boosting operation. Figures 10, 12 and l l show the relative position of the cams ill-l and 85 at a single point of rotation, while Figures ll, 13 and 15 show the same cams in the ner't succeeding position. Thus as the circuit in the auxiliary switch E is broken as to the switch arm l5, like in Figure ll, the booster cam 85 will operate automatically to close the circuit controlled by the arm 16. In this manner the auxiliary switch E operates similarly to the control switch D and the switch E may be used as a control switch for circuits of my signalling system as will be hereinafter pointed out. In the control switch D or control auxiliary switch breaking of one circuit is followed by the immediate closing of another circuit automatically in the operation of the timer A. With this in mind the operation of my signalling circuits will be more readily understood to indicate the advantages of my traffic signalling circuits and timer.

The master timer F may be identical to the timer A just described, excepting that it is not necessary to employ a signal control switch D. Ordinarily a circuit controlling switch E is best adapted for the master timer Fjbecause the master timer F is only necessary to control the timers A of the individual signals G to keep the individual timers synchronized. The division of time such as is capable by the operating disc it is not necessary in the master timer, therefore it is not necessary to use the signal control switch D. Figure 19 illustrates diagrammatically the master control timer F in control of the several timers A and in this diagram of my signalling circuit I have shown the individual signals as represented by G. The diagrammatic showing of the signals G shows only the motor circuit which operates the distributor H which is shown diagrammatically in other circuits which will be later referred to. The timers A which are controlled by the master timer F and which operate the individual signals G have both the switch D and E. The switch E operating to synchronize with the switch E of the master timer, controls the operation of the individual motors iii of the timers A.

The individual timers A operate a little faster than the master timer F. This permits the individual timers to be kept in time by the master timer, causing them to be started at the same time and thus kept in synchronism after they have been set.

Figure 19 illustrates the manner in which a master timer controls individual timers A. At the top of Figure 19 is illustrated the master timer F and beneath this timer are illustrated three timers A. It will be noted that in the timers A, the circuit to the motors l3 extends through the switches E. Each contact of the switch E is connected through the corresponding contact in the switch E in the master timer F. Accordingly corresponding contacts in the switches E, both in the master timer and in the timers A must be closed before the motors I3 in the timers A will run.

As has been stated, the timers A run a little faster than the master timer F. Therefore, the

motors B of the timers A will shift the switches E and cause these switches E to break the circuit to the motors l3 thereof before the switch E of the master timer F is operated. Thus, for a short period of time, the motors H of the timers A cease operation. When the switch E of the master timer F is shifted by its cam means, corresponding contacts in the switches E of the timers A and of the timer F are again closed, closing the circuit to the motors I3 of the timers A, and causing them to operate until the switches E are again shifted by their cam means.

To set the timers A in operative relation to the master timer F the set screw 88 of the collar ill is released and all of the timers A are set with the wheel ill in the same position on the booster cam 85, preferably with the wheel 9| in the recess of the cam as illustrated in the diagram in Figure 15. The collars ii? are then made secure to the operating shaft ll and the master timer F will then control the individual timers A to keep them all synchronized and timed by the master timer.

The individual timers A control the motors 92 of the signals G. The timers A operate to control the motors 12 through the switches D of each of the timers. In the diagrammatic illustration of the wiring in Figure 19, that portion of the distributors H which carries the two switches for operating the motor 92 is illustrated. This portion of the distributor H which carries these two switches is 93.

In Figure 18 I have illustrated the wiring diagrams for the signals G and in this diagram I have illustrated the light circuits of the signals, such as St, 95, and 9B, whichrepresent the red lights of the signal by the amber or change lights by 95, and the green lights of the signal by 86. In this diagram the circuit switches of the distributor H are all shown. The amber switches of the distributor H are illustrated at ill, while the red and green switches of the distributor are indicated at Bi l. The switches of the distributor H such as 93, 97, and 9B, are operated by the rotation of the motor 92 in each signal G- and when the motor 92 is at rest the distributor cams, not illustrated in the drawings, which operate the switches in the divisions Q? and of the distributor H are inoperative. When the motor 92 starts to operate the switch cams in these respective parts 93, Bl, and lit, will begin to operate so as to operate the respective switches therein and close or open the respective circuits as will be readily understood from the circuit wirings.

in my signal if at any time a trafic officer desires to operate the individual signals G at any corner or intersection, manually, it is only necessary for the officer to step up to the timer control box B and insert the key 99 into the key receiving cylinder Hill which permits the officer to operate the rod NH and this rod iUl will operate the operating ends 60 which project from the plate 56 so as to manually operate the arms 54 and 55 which control the circuits of the switch D to operate the signal at the intersection manually by the oificcr. Should the officer desire to throw a red signal light all around at the intersection to stop the traffic, it is only necessary for the officer to place the key 99 in the key receiving cylinder H12 in the upper part of the casing B which will permit the rod I03 to be operated and the operation of this rod will operate the gang switch I04 closing the necessary circuits, so as to turn the red lights 94 .on all around the signal G. In this manner any traflic oflicer can operate the individual signals G manually when it is desired. As soon as the ofllcer releases the key from the casing or timer box B, the signal G will automatically be readinstall and timed with any signals G that it is in time with controlled by a master timer F. If the signals A are used individually without the master timer F the signal A will automatically realhust the timing of the signal lights M, 95 and 98.

I have provided in my circuit as illustrated in the diagrammatic illustrations in Figure 18, a switch I05 which when the switch is in the position illustrated leaves the circuits of the signals G in ordinary running or normal operative position. If the switch blades I06 are turned into contact with the contacts I01 of the switch I05, the signal lights G will show the red lights all around and will remain this way until the switch I05 is thrown back to normal operating position. This switch I05 may be placed in the fire station or at any convenient place for the operation of the signals G.

A second control switch I08 is illustrated in Figure 18 in which the normal running position of the signals G is illustrated. This switch I08 may be placed in the police-department or any other convenient position and when the switch blades I09 of this switch are thrown to the terminals H0, the red lights 84 will be lit all around the signals Cl. Thus it is apparent that the switches M35 and it as well as the individual switches lu l in the timer box: 38, permit the manual operation of the signals G to indicate red all around to stop the traiilc if it is desired. These switches show clearly the ready control from various points of my signals G.

My signals G are each provided an indi cator I which is operated by the motor Q2 of each of the signals which operates the distributor E. This indicator is illustrated diagrammatically, being in the form of suitable indicating fingers HG over the amber lights 95 to indicate the time of change of the signal lights from red to green and from green to red, so that the traiiic may be warned of the time of change and so that a positive signal to indicate the remaining time before the change takes place will be before the eyes of the traffic. In the diagram in Figure 13 I have illustrated the wiring in manner so that if the switch Mill is operated turn the red lights on all around, the motors will continue to run until the indicating fingers I have come to an invisible position in the casing, at which time they will automatically shut 053.

My timer and-circuits operate to control the trahic signals G in a manner so as to permit the signals G to be set at progression so that one signal after the other will operate to permit travel of trailic in certain directions. The master timer F will control the individual timers A and the circuit which shows this in its simplified form is illustrated in Figure 19. This circuit doesnot show the signal lights of the signals Gbut shows the operating motors 92 for the distributors H. The signal lights such as 9t, 95, and 9b, are illustrated in Figure 18. Each series of lights 94, and 96 are composed of four lights, one for each side of the signal. More or less of these lights depending on the number of sides for indicating for the signals G may be provided. The circuits are of a simple nature and indicate the manner in which my timer A may operate to control the same. It will be noted that the load of the lights is not carried through the breaker points carried by the arms 54 and 55, but rather the load of the lights of the various signals pass from the individual distributors H direct to the line supplying the current. This structure is distinctly difierent than other signals and permits the breaker points of the arms 54 and 55 to be operated with the minimum load being that of the operation of the motors 92 only. The breaker points for the master timer have the same advantage as the breaker points in the individual timers A, in that they only carry a sufficient load for the operation of the motors I3. In this simplified structure I have provided a timer A which is dependable as is also the signal G with its distributor H. The distributors H handle the light circuits in each signal and each timer operates to regulate its individual signal or a series of signals from any of the timers A, while the timers A are controlled by the master timers F. The manner in which the master timer F controls the timers A has already been described.

By my timers and trafiic signal circuits the signals may be easily controlled either from pclice headquarters, the fire department, or at any other convenient places and provide controls for the traflic officer at the individual timers.

The keys as are constructed with the receiving cylinders Hill and I02 so that the ofiicer cannot remove the key until he turns the same back to normal position and even though the particular signal G which was controlled by the timer which the oilicer operated was left with the signal out of time with other signals such as G which were being controlled by a master timer F, this timer would automatically readjust itself to operate in proper time with the other signals. This is accomplished by the motors I3 of the individual timers A running faster than the master timer motor and thus permitting the master timer to cause all of the motors l3 to start at the proper time. The timers A with their operating disc i8 permit the individual signals G to be operated at any desired time to change the signal lights and to permit the time allowed for traffic to pass to be divided as hereinbefore described by setting of the operating lug 38 with the pointed end 13 of the slideable plate 3Q pointing in the direction of the division desired. The timers A provide a flexibility of adjustment of a very desirable nature, are simple to set by means of the adjustable plate 39 winch carries the lug Stand the operating key 33 in the notches 34 so as to change the ratio of operation oi'the operating disc is. These features together with the advantages of carrying a small amount or" current in the breaker points of the operating parts are of primary importance in the operation of my timer and circuits for trafic signals.

In accordance with the patent statutes 1 have described the principles of operation of my timer and circuits for traffic signals and I have endeavored to represent the best embodiment thereof; the changes which are obvious and apparent with the foregoing description are a part of this invention within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. An electrically operated timer for trafllc signals and the like comprising, a timer operating shaft, and a rotatable cam circuit closing switch having booster cam means therein adapted to cause an electric circuit to be closed when a circuit is opened by said switch. I i

2. A timer for trafllc signals comprising, an electric motor, a transmission operated by said motor, a timer disc operated by said transmission, a circuit make and break switch operated by said timer disc, operating lugs for said circuit make and break switch carried by said timer disc, means for adjusting said lugs in relation to each other, an auxiliary circuit switch having cam means operable from said timer disc shaft, and a booster in said auxiliary switch adapted to cause the closing of a circuit automatically with the breaking of another circuit.

3. A timer for operating traflic signal circuits including, an electric motor, a timer disc operated by said motor, a snap make and break circuit switch operated by said timer disc adapted to close a circuit automatically when another is opened, an auxiliary cam operated switch having means for automatically closing a circuit when one is opened, and means for manually controlling said snap make and break circuit switch independent of said timer disc and motor.

4. A timer for controlling traflic signals including, an electric motor, a timing member operated by said motor, two circuit switches operated by said timer member, one having spring flexible contact means to flex into position to close a circuit while simultaneously opening a circuit, and the other having rotatable cam operating and booster means to open a circuit and simultaneously close another circuit.

5. In combination, an electric motor for operating a timer, a timer disc operated by said electric motor, a rotatable circuit breaker switch operated by said timer having a booster cam means adapted to cause said circuit breaker switch'to close a circuit when one is broken, a three-way switch for operating traffic signal circuits, and means carried by said timer disc adapted to operate said three-way switch to close one circuit when the other is broken, and a snap plate and key which control said switch operable by a means carried by said timer disc for operating said three-way switch.

6. A timer for traflic signal circuits including, an electric motor, a timer disc operated by said motor, switch operating lugs adjustably carried by said timer disc, a three-way switch adapted to be operated by said lugs, a rotatable plate having insulating ends for engaging with said three-way switch to hold the same in operative position to normally close an electric circuit while another circuit is broken, and a spring key operated by said switch operating lugs carried by said timer disc.

7. A timer for circuits for trailic signals including, an electric motor for operating the same, a rotatable timer member operated by said motor, a switch including a bifurcated switch arm having two contact terminals, a switch operating plate adapted to hold said switch arms to normally close one of said terminals to close a circult, a spring operated key for operating said switch operating plate, and lug means carried by said timer member to operate said key to move said switch operating plate and to automatically throw said bifurcated switch arms from one terminal to another, thereby making a circuit when one is broken.

8. A timer for electric circuits including, an electric motor, a rotatable switch, a timer member adapted to be rotated by said motor, booster means in saidrotatable switch to cause said switch to close a circuit when another circuit is broken, a separate snap circuit opening and closing switch operated by said timer member, a

' spring key for operating said snap circuit opening and closing switch, a switch arm holding plate operated by said key, and adjustable key operating means for said snap switch operating key carried by said timing member, said rotatable switch being adapted to operate two circuits while said snap switch is adapted to operate two other circuits in the operation of said timer.

9. A timer for signal circuits including, an electric motor, a timer member operated by said motor, a rotatable make and break switch having means for opening one circuit and simultaneously closing another, and a snap switch having means for closing a circuit while simultaneously opening another, each switch being operated by said timer member in the rotation thereof.

10. In a timer, 8. contact, a pair of terminals between which said contact may move, a pivoted shifting plate for engagement with said contact to force said contact selectively into engagement with one or the other of said terminals, a movable key plate, means interposed between said key'plate and said shifting plate for holding the plates in one extreme position or the other, cam engaging pins on said key plate, and cam means for shifting said key plate from one extreme position to the other.

11. In a timer, a timer disc, means for rotating the same, a shaft thereupon, a flange secured on said shaft, a collar rotatable on said shaft, a booster cam on said collar, a pair of contact closing cams secured on said collar, means in spring engagement with said booster cam, and a pin and slot connection between said collar and said flange for rotating said collar with said shaft whereby said spring means causes a sudden advancement of said collar and contact closing cams during the rotation of said shaft.

12. In a timer, a cam shaft, a collar thereupon, clutch means interposed between said collar and said shaft to drive said collar from said shaft, a booster cam and contact closing cams secured on said collar, and resilient means in engagement with said booster cam acting thereagainst to suddenly advance said collar on said shaft in the direction of rotation thereof.

ALVIN O. OLAFSON. 

